Stand Down offers vets legal help

DAVIDSON COUNTY Veterans with legal issues, including Davidson County civil cases and criminal misdemeanors, have until May 31 to register for a special one-day event where they can get assistance. The event itself will be June 25, according to the local nonprofit Operation Stand Down, which serves honorably discharged veterans. "We decided to conduct a Legal Stand Down based on the legal needs we see every year at our three-day Operation Stand Down event," said Bill Burleigh, executive director of the nonprofit. "Much of our work is targeting homeless veterans. This one-day event will help remove barriers to housing and employment, which directly helps in the reduction of homelessness." Veterans must pre-register by the end of May at the Operation Stand Down offices, 1125 12th Ave. S. Office hours are 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The Legal Stand Down event will deal with misdemeanors in Davidson County only. Local judges will be available to deal with civil cases, criminal misdemeanors and traffic citations. Civil cases targeted are related to divorce, landlords, leases and child support. Criminal cases will only deal with misdemeanors, citations and warrants. Traffic cases will address tickets and licenses for Tennessee only. Reinstatement fees will not be waived. — ANNE PAINE THE TENNESSEAN